Page 9 - First Reconciliation

2. Read what happens on Monday. Ask: Which actions include Nick? Which actions leave Nick out? Damian includes Nick by choosing him as a buddy and staying with him. He leaves Nick out when he swims to the deep end of the pool to see Matt. Damian swims to see Matt at the deep end of the pool but otherwise stays with his cousin.
3. Read what happens on Tuesday. Discuss which actions include Nick and which leave him out. Matt suggests an activity that leaves Nick out, an unloving action the boys don’t carry out.
4. Read the Wednesday episode and ask children to identify the problem. They may see different problems, depending on which boy they identify with most. Talk about what problem each boy has—Nick wants to be a part of things and is the outsider; Damian wants to do things with both his friend and his cousin; Matt wants Damian to do what they had planned before Nick came.
a. Discuss each of the four possible endings and its implications for each of the three boys. Have the children return to their work places and work in pairs to draw a heart beside loving endings and an X beside endings that break the boys apart.
b. Ask them to decide which action they think will happen next. Walk among the children and ask them to give reasons for their markings.
How Does Jesus Ask Us to Treat People?
1. Gather the children in the story/prayer space. Explain that Jesus sometimes used stories to answer people’s questions. One day someone asked, “Who are the people I am supposed to love?” Write the question on the chalkboard or newsprint as you say it.
First Reconciliation 1, page 3, 15 minutes
Objective
The children will recognize how Jesus asks them to treat others.
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On Tuesday the day camp group went to the science museum. The three boys climbed on the city bus. Nick found an aisle seat. Matt and Damian found seats across from each other in the row behind him.
“I know what we can do when we get home,” said Matt in a low voice, so Nick couldn’t hear.
“What?” said Damian. He saw Nick turn his head away and look out the bus window.
“We can take our dirt bikes to the big ditch.”
“But that’s a two thing,” said Damian. “Nick doesn’t have a bike here.”
Matt shrugged his shoulders. “Guess there’s not much to do while he’s here.”
Which actions include Nick? Which leave Nick out?
On Wednesday the boys saw the puppet stage set up when they walked into the library.
“What’s behind the curtain?” asked Nick.
“Nothing,” said Damian. “We make puppets to put on plays.”
“We’re going to do Jack and the Beanstalk,” said Matt. “We’ve been planning all summer. I’m going to be the giant. Fee, fi, fo, fum.”
“And I’m Jack,” said Damian.
“Who can I be?” said Nick.
Damian looked at Matt. Matt looked
at Damian. “There’s Jack’s mother and the goose,” said Damian. “You could be both of them.”
What do you think will happen on Wednesday?
K Damian lets Nick play the part of Jack.
K Matt goes home because Nick is spoiling everything.
K Nick goes home because he doesn’t get a big part.
K The boys decide to put on the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
The Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has found the doctrinal content, copyright 2011, to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Nihil Obstat: J. Michael Byron Imprimatur: +Harry J. Flynn, Archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis, April 30, 2004
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